The Typhoon Milenyo Aftermath: Acknowledging the Importance of Utility Companies

It has been almost 24 hours and the typhoon has left the country of the Philippines. While its departure has been a big sigh of relief, the mess that it left behind is something no one is smiling about these days. To date, only 18% of the whole nation has had electricity and water returned, and everyone is now feeling the effects of the disaster, and the importance of the service that such utility companies such as Manila Electric Company MERALCO and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)Â brings to every residential, commercial and industrial zone. Practically walking on crutches, a large number of office and establishments have been forced to close down, while most private consumers who want to take advantage of the time to take some time off are forced to stay in their homes with nothing much to do, as most shops are closed.

The sight of the nation is quite harsh today. Uprooted trees, fallen cable wires, no water in most places and a complete mess is what can be seen. Malls such as EDSA Shangri-la and Robinsons Malls need to evaluate the extent of their damage as the typhoon severely damaged their buildings. Billboards and overturned delivery trucks can be seen in the usual busy streets, making it practically dangerous for anyone to go out and celebrate this unsolicited vacation time. To make things worst, most people expecting their salaries to be given today are also suffering, since most companies and banks have chosen either to close or operate on borrowed time to serve their clients.

Even telephone lines and some text messaging (SMS) means of communication have been hampered, owing to the fact that most cellular sites have been struck by the strong winds that can be likened closely to known disasters as twisters and hurricanes. With such a mess, the sight of the city now seems like an abandoned town, everyone choosing to stay in their homes while others are being forced to go out into the commercial establishments because of no water and food.

Typhoons in the Philippines are very much rare, and the worst ones before were limited towards to flash floods and earthquakes. We often see in movies other disasters such as tidal waves like the â€œTsunamiâ€? and humongous tornados known as â€œtwistersâ€? that have wreaked havoc in the United States and Taiwan. With yesterdayâ€™s horror on my mind, I wonder how the country would be prepared if such events were to happen as well. I wouldnâ€™t be surprised if more anti-disaster companies would consider this opening as business potential earning revenue. If they do, I just hope that the authenticity of their job and efficiency will be good as the price they will be commanding.